Running-gear for motor-vehicles



L. E. WATERMAN, H. R. TRAPHAGEN AND H. L. WATERMAN. RUNNING GEAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

' APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9, 1919- 1,374,412. Pa nted Apr. 12, 1921.

s o T AiWeFfiJY A M J M 50 nection with Nun-in ST "res PATENT. .oFFicEff Lnwrs n. wn'rrinmmv, rimv n. 'rnarnnemr,

' ASSIGNORS 'ro nmnnson-Bm'rmonm comrm, or

noon-roan, ILLINOIS, a conrona'rion nocxronn, rumors,

' nominee-cram 1,374,412,. Original application 'filed June a, line, Serial n0.

To-all whom twat/concern:

Be it known that we, LEWIS E. WATER-i MAN, HARRY R. TRAPHAGEN, and HowAno L. WATERMAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and Stateof'lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Running- Gears for Motor vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to runninggear and parts appurtenant thereto for motor vehicles, and" has I that class of motor vehicles tractors. invention isespecially adapted for embodiment in a farm tractor-in the manner shown and described in our copending application, Serial No. 302,695, of which the present application is a division.

known as farm .The principal object of the present invention is to provide a generally improved running gear of the character mentioned, with the view to obtaining a strong, durable and thoroughly practical construction embodying various features of adjustment, which are advantageous and desirable not only to the manufacturer as factors enabling economical production, but also to the user in adapting conditions and in adjusting parts to be taken up for wear after long usage.

To this end, and among theobjects of our invention, we have aimed to provide imroved means for attachingthe .traction wheelsto a frame and for obtainin various adjustments of the'wheels relative yfto the frame, to provide improved immediate driving means for the traction wheels, which means coiiperatewith each traction wheel 40 and its running gear'so as' to constitute a unit adjustable laterally to accommodate the tractor to various working conditions, and to provide novel means for adjusting said units outwardly andin-- wardly on the mam frame. 1

Other-objects and attendant advantages will'be appreciated as the invention becomes better understoodby reference to the followingdescription when considered in -conwhich-'- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view Specification of Letters Patent.

particular reference to Thesubject matter of the present the tractor to different working on the main frame the accompanying drawings in nownnn L. wur'nnmnn, or

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roa noronavnn'rcms.

Patented'Apr. 12, 1921.

302,695f-niv1ded and this application filed June 9,

1919. Serial N0. 802,691-

through traction .wheel. and running gear fora motor vehicle" embodying our improvements;

Fig. 2,'a stantially on thefline 2--2 of Fig.1";

plan sectional view taken sub- Fi 3', a fragmentary ,view of the traction I whee looking at I the inner side thereof; FigsA and 5,

detail sectional views taken substantially onthe lines 4-4 and 5+5 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6.isadiagramm atic view on a reduced'scale'showing. a rear elevation of a. ir of traction-wheels arranged according to the present invention.

As' already mentioned, the present improvements are especially adapted for a a farm tractor in the manner -copending a plication. This pair of tractlon wheels each connected with the main frame and. driven in the same manner, hence we have deemed it necessary in tractonhas a shown in our the present case to illustrate in detail but a single tract-ion wheel, its running gear and immediate drive means, it being understood that these parts are duplicated onthe opi posite side of the tractor.

The main frame of the motor vehicle designated generally by character 8, may be of any suitable construction and as shown. includes, preferabl a pair of transversely.

extending front and. rear l and 11 respectively, rigidly joined together by 'fore-and-aft frame angle bars 12 and 13 or the equivalent, the"longitudinal centerline' of the vehicle being designated by letter A in. Fig. 2. In the particular farm tractor in which the present improvements areembodied, the frame-bars 12 and 13 at each side of the centerline extend forwardly providing aframe upon which a motor and transmission mechanism are mounted and which is'supported at single .dirig1ble wheel.

The traction wheel designated by character 14 is connected to frame through the agency tion designated generally which is adjustable laterally upon and with respect to the'main frame for varying the distance between the traction wheels. In this particular case, v p ported relatively high sons to be adapted or; cultivating purposes and enerally file main of a frame secby character l5,

the main frame is sup.-

channel beams 9f the its forward end by a the't act19n able frame section 15 in its -tion at their outer and inner ends by .an

wheels are adjustable laterally to accommodate different widths of rows.

preferred embodiment consists of a pair of front'and rear channel beams 16 and 17 respectively interposed between thechannel beams 9 and 11 rigidly secured together in spaced relainterposed axle bracket 18 and a screw shaft bracket 19. As shown channel beams 16 and 17 are rigidly secured to the bracket 18 by means of bolts 21 which passthrough elongated openings. 22 in the webof the channel beams, thus permitting of horizontal adjustment of the bracket 18 relatively to the frame I I bracket 18 is shaped to receive the horizontal portion 23 of an axle member and is preferably cored longitudinally for this pure ose to provide-a bore 24 slightlyelongated in cross section, as shown in Fig. 4:,for the purpose of permitting vertical ad ustmentor play of said axle portion within the bore. The axle member has an upright portion 25 joining the horizontal portion- 23 with the I axle proper upon which the. hub 26 of the means of "a U-bolt27 traction wheel revolves. The uprightportion' 25 of the axle member is clamped by a depending extension 28 integral with'tlie bracket 18. Adjustable means are nowprovided for securing the horizontal portion 23 ofthe axle member! the bracket-18, consisting preferpair of Set sc'rews 29 and 31 and ablyof a.

U-bolts 32 and i-The set screws are arranged as showng inEig. 1 adjacent to the outer and inner endsfof the bracket 18 and are threaded through the lower wall thereof as shownfin Fig.4, and form vertically "ada ustable seatsfor the axle portion 23'; The

bolts 32 and .33 arranged adjacent to the set screws 29 and 31 respectively and embra ing the top of the axle ortion 23 and passing down through the .ttom" of the bracket-18, are equipped withth'e usual nuts. for drawingthe bolts. tight to. clampthe axle member in fixed position on the set screws. It will be obvious that byadjustment of these set screws and the U-bolts'the position ofthe axle portion 23 with respect to 'the horizontal may be varied, thereby i canting the traction-wheel with respect to th vertical for the purpose of properly alining the. connection for. the 2 traction wheel as mentioned hereinafter.

The immediate; in'eans for. driving the traction wheel. is-associated with the. runandtraction wheel in the follow-- mg manner: our invention contemplates the so inountedinv connection with the adjustable frame sec-' tion :15 and having such .,drivi ng connection provision of a cross shaft with the traction wheel that the cross shaft, the frame section amttraction wheel=-con- The adj usta spurgear 34 'on the cross sha in Figs. .1 and4, the

section 16. The

stit'ute a unit adapted to be adjustedlaiien" when assembling." The cross shaft 35. has a bearing at its outer end in the bearing bracket 43 which is secured by means of bolts 44to the outer end ofthe adjustable frame section, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The inner end .ofthecross shaft is journaled in a. bearing vbracket 45'. secured by bolts 46130" the chann'elbeams 9 and 11 on the main frame. The cross shaft isdriven through any suitablemeans, such for example as a sprocket 47, spline'dpnthe shaft.

Inasmuch as the cross shaft; is held against axial lateral movement. with respect to the bearing bracket 43'the 'relation between the gears 34 and 36 itsnotchanged when the rame section 15 is, adjusted laterally. It will be manifest that when such an adjustment is made,'the.sprocket47 will first be loosened so asnot to interfere with the bearing bracket 45 when {adjusting the frame outwardly. .The franie section 15 during moveinent inwardly and outwardly on the niain frame is guided at its sides between the channel beams 9 and 11, at its to by the frame bar 13. and the base of the earing bracket 45, and at its bottom by a guide bolts plate 48 fixed to the channels 9 and 11. The

cross shaft 35 b being mounted at its outer end in a brac et frame section and at its inner end in a bearing bracket fixed to the main frame,

also functions as a guide between the adn j'order' to resist the backward; thrust against the lower end of the depending'axle support a radius" rod 56 is attached to a bracket 57 on the axle member and connects to a forward portion of the main frame, not

shown.

Means is now provided for positively moving the traction wheel frame sections at each'end of the mainframe 'inwardlyan'd ,outwardl in any a justed position. This means con-s sists preferably ofa single screw shaft 48 in unison and for locking them passing through a bracket 51 fixed to the channel beams 9 and 11' and held against longitudinal axial ustable frame section'and the main frame,

movement with respect to the bracket 51 by suitable .collars 52. i

'105 fixed to the adjustable This screw shaft is Y provided at one end with "a left hand screw andatits opposite .end witlna righthand screw, andthese-are threadingly engaged respectivelyv with the brackets 19 at the inner ends of the adscre w sha besimultane'ously moved inwardlyand. outwardl according to the direction in which justable' frame sections. ,By revolving. the ft, 49, the framesections W111 said s aft is rotated. As shown in Fig. 3

.the screw shaft 49 is equipped with a ratchet wheel 53 and also a loose hand lever 54-which is rovided with a pawl 55 coiiperatin with t, e ratchet wheel. By oscillating the ever 54:,- thescrew shaft 49 will be 15 in the opposite direction. This ratchet and rotated in one direction by means of the ratchet connection and byswinging the pawl to the opposite side from that shown in Fig. 5 the screw shaft will be revolved screw dev1ce prov1des a very effective and practical means for ad usting the frame'sec- 7 time in'jini'son and alsof'serve's'to lock*'these From the foregoing, it will be manifest that we have provided a. running gear and, immediate drive for a, traction wheel constituting a unit. adjustable upon a main frame to vary the width of tread, that the cooperating parts are so designed as to give a-thoroughly practical, strong and durable construction well adapted for the severe strains to which the parts arejsubjected in 'use, and that ample provision is madefor adjusting the parts when assembling to secure the pro er coiiperation of related parts and especial y. proper alinement and mesh of the gears 34 and 36 by adjustment of set screws 29 and 31 and the U-bolts 32 and 3.3. It is believed that the foregoing conveys a clear understanding of the objects prefaced' above, and while we have illustratedembodi= and described but a single working ment of our invention itshould e understood that variouschanges might be made in the construction: and arrangement with We claim:

out departing from the spirit [and scope of the invention as pended. claims;

expressed in the ap- -.1. Ina motor vehicle, the combination of a frame including a pair 'oftransverse beams at each side thereof, an "axle bracket. interposed between and bolted to thebeams I of each pair at theouterfendthereof, a pair of tractlon'whe'els, an axle for eachtraction wheel having a horizontal ,portion mounted on one ofsaid brackets, and adjusting means operative between thebracket and said axle portions for adjusting the latter to change 7 the position of: its respective traction wheel relativeto the frame.

2'. In a motor vehicle, the' combinatioh of a frame including a pair of: transverse beams spacedapart, a bracket. interposed between and fixed to said beams and having a laterally extending bore, an axlememher hav ng an axle portion, an upright por- .1

'awall of said bracket U-bolt embracing said axle frame sections in any position to which they have been moved.

r I r tion and an upper horizontal portion the latter of which extends into said bore, a

her therefor having .a .horizontalaxle. pori tion,an upright portionand an upper. honzontal portion, a pair of set screws spaced later'allon the frame and upon which said p be; rests,.and one or more U-bolts embracing the upper horizontal, ortlon, of theaxle memberfor rigidly ho ding'tlie latter in connection with said set screws, said set*- screws and U-bolts being adjustable .for

'tiltingthe axle member and consequently the traction wheel relatively to the frame.

4. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a frame including a pair of rigid transversely extending beams, a separate pair .90. of beams interposed between said rigid beams at each end thereof and rigidly united together each constituting a laterally adjustable frame, section,"a traction wheel mounted on the outer end of each adjustable frame section, a transverse cross shaft at each side of. the vehicle journaled at its outer end on a bearing carried by the ad justable pair of beams and atits inner end on a bearmg'carrid by the m d pair of- 106 Ibeams, a' pinion fixed, to the outer end of each cross shaft, a bull gear -fixed to each traction wheel and meshinglwith-"the adjacent pinion, means for {dnvmg each cross shaft, and means permitting said frame sec- .108

tionsto be adjusted laterally upon and with respect to the rigid beams. h

- 5. .In 'a' motorl vehicle, the combination of a frame including apair of rigid transversely extending .beams, a separate pair 110 of beams interposed between said rigid beams at each end thereofjand rigidly unitefd aeq together constituting a laterally adjustab frame section, av traction wheel mounted on the'outer end of each adjustable, frame sec-.113 tion, a transverse cross shaft at each side pfthe vehiclejournaled at its outer end on a bearing carried, by the adjustable pai goi j beams and at its inner end on a bearing car- 'r'ied-by the rigid'pairof beams, a driv 1% ing connection between each cross'shaft and T the adjacent traction wheel, means for separately driving the cross shafts, a screw threaded member held against longitudinal movement. with respect to the rigidbeams 2 .andthreadingly engaged at each end -with.'=

threaded members fixed to the adjustable framesect onsf-the thread at the opposite ends of said threaded member being right and left hand respectively, and means for er oriz'ontal" portion of the axle mem so frame section,

rotating said threaded member whereby to adjust the frame sections wardly in unison. q I

, 6. In a motoi' vehicle",the combination of inwardly or outa main frame, a framesection at each side 4 thereof-adjustable laterally thereon, a=trac.-

tion wheelmounted-inconnection with each a single laterally extending screw shaft .held in connection with the mainframe against lateral movement therehavingv right hand on, the crew shaft. threadsat one end andfleftvhand threads at the opposite end and being threadingly adjacent frame section, and means for rotating sald screw,

engaged at each end with the shaft to adjust the frame sections and traction wheels inwardly and outwardly.

7. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a mainframe, a pair of traction wheels, a frame section intermediate each traction wheeland the main, frame and adjhlstable transversely on the latter, a single screw shaft interposed between andthreadin' 1y Y engaged atfits ends with said adjusta 1e frame sections, and means for revolving said screw shaft for simultaneolisly1 adjusting said frame sections and wardly and outwardly. a 8. In a motor vehicle, the comb nation of a main frame, a pair of traction .wheelsmounted on the main frame for adjustment a. laterally thereon,- a screw shaft held intermediate its ends-in connection with the r -main frame against lateral movement relatively thereto and having right and left hand threads on. its opposite ends threadfingly engaged respectively in connection with the adjacent traction wheel,.a toothed-V ratchet wheel fixed to the screw shaft, a

lever carrying a pawl ada ted to engage with said ratchet wheel an to rotate the same by oscillation of the lever for slmultaneously moving. the traction .wheels in- 'Wardly and outwardly with respect'to the frame. g

. 9. Ina m'otor veh1cle, thecomb1nat1on of a main frame, a framesectl'on ateach side thereof adjustable laterally. thereon, a traction wheel in connection with each frame section and equipped with abull gear; a cross shaftfordriving each traction wheel,

a pinion on each cross shaft meshing it'h its respective traction wheel bull gear, in ans foradjusting the frame sections laterally on the main frame, and means for causlng each cross shaft and pinion to move as [a unit with its respective frame section when a adjusting the same laterally.

( I channel beams spaced apart,a pair of chan-' 10, In a motor vehicle, the combination of a mainframe including a pair of transverse 7 nel beams at each side of thefra'me rigidly secured together and interposed between.

said channel beams of the main frame and adjustable laterally between the same, a

. respective tracKiOn w traction wheels intion relatively traction wheel mounted in connection with each adjustable channel beam section and equipped with a bull gear, a cross shaft for drivlng each traction wheeland equipped with a pinion meshin with the gear of its eel, each cross shaft having a beari g adjacent to its pinion and 'fixed to the adjustable pair of channel beams and having another bearing spaced inwardly from the. first mentioned and fixed to thechannel beams of the main frame, and

means for adjusting the channel beam sec- ;tions and their'cross shafts respectively inwardly and outwardly relatively to the main frame. V Y

11. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a -main frame,

by the traction wheel and connecting the latter with-the main frame sothat thetraction wheel may be adjusted inwardly and a traction wheel equipped with a bull gear, a frame section supported outwardly on said main frame, a cross shaft pinion for driving said bull gear, and bearin s for the cross shaft fixed respectively to t e main frame and the adjustable frame section, said frame section and its cross shaft being adjustable as aequipped with a unit inwardly'and outwardly uponthe main frame; 7

12. In am'otor vehicle, the combination of a frame, atraction wheel equip ed with .a

bull gear, anv axle member for t e traction wheel having a horizontal portion mounted on the frame, a cross shaft on the frame hav- 1 ing a pinion meshing with said bull gear, a

pan-of laterally space'dzset screws on the frame and in connection withsaidhorizontal portion of the axle member, and

means for clamping said horizontal axle portion rigidly in connectionf with said set screws, said set screws and-clamping means being adjustable to obtain the tween said pinion'an'd bull gear;

proper mesh 13. In a motor vehicle, the combination of i a main frame and a. laterally adjustable frame section mounted upon one side thereof 7 'havmg a horizontal portion adapted. for mountlng on said frame section, the, frame sectionincluding a bracket for the reception of said horizontal portion of the axle, and adjusting devices for adjusting the axle porto'the bracket for the proper operating relation between said securing p nion and bull gear and the bracket 'relatively to said frame'sectionproper;

14.:"In aniotor vehicle, the combinationof a mam frame; a frame section atone side thereof ad ustable laterally thereon, a traction wheel mounted in connection with said laterally on the main frame, and means for adjustable frame section and equipped with causing the cross shaft to move with said a bull gear, a cross shaft having a pinion for frame section when it is adjusted laterally. driving said bull gear, bearings for the cross y shaft rigidly secured to the main frame and. LEWIS E. WATERMAN. the adjustable frame section respectlvely, HARRY R. TRAPHAGEN. means for adjusting said frame section I HOWARD L. WATERMAN. 

